Dave Ogilvie
It may seem like business as usually in Emo but behind the scenes, merchants, churches, and various organizations are busy preparing for the town’s annual seasonal celebration known as “Holly Daze,” which will be held Dec. 5-6 this year.
The schedule for the two-day event is, indeed, extremely busy. On Friday, there will be a brown bag book sale at the Emo Public Library. Fill a bag full of used books and spend the holidays reading.
There also will be a Scholastic book sale at Donald Young School all day. Check out the vast assortment of books and purchase a Christmas present for a young loved one.
Then from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, hot chocolate will be served by the Emo rec council on Front Street.
The Santa Claus parade gets underway Friday at 6 p.m. Departing from DYS, the route will travel west on Front Street and finish at the Golden Age Manor.
Several merchants, churches, various organizations, and DYS students are busy planning their floats. The latter float will include members of “Seussical the Musical,” the student council, and members of P.A.L.S. (Participation Activity Leaders).
A reminder that items for the local food bank will be collected during the parade.
Then immediately following the parade, a fireworks display will be held on the berm in front of the CIBC, which will be serving warm cider and cookies to the young and young at heart.
Finally, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, the Borderland Community Orchestra will be presenting its Christmas concert in conjunction with “Holly Daze,” with special guests being members of the “Seussical the Musical.”
The cost is $6 per adult while children under 12 are free. Proceeds will go towards the drama program at DYS.
On Saturday, the brown bag book sale will continue at the Emo Public Library while the always popular “Crafts Galore” sale runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Emo Legion (a light lunch of soup and sandwiches also will be available).
Then from 1-3 p.m., Santa will be at the Legion to meet the kiddies and have pictures taken with him.
Meanwhile, the St. Patrick’s C.W.L. will be hosting its Christmas tea and bake sale on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. in the church basement.
Two important draws also will be made Saturday afternoon, including the one for the remaining spots in the Emo Walleye Classic Tournament in May that will take place at Tompkins at 3 p.m.
The draw for the Emo gift certificates will follow at 4 p.m. at Norlunds.
“Holly Daze” has, over the years, become an Emo tradition that includes all kinds of enjoyable activities and some sensational shopping opportunities.
Borderland Esso, for instance, will have all kinds of in-store sales and draws. They also will have on display their newest Arctic Cat snowmobiles and four-wheelers.
Owner Dave Goodman also announced they also will be collecting items for the local food bank again this year.
“It’s kind of become a Borderland Esso Christmas tradition,” enthused Goodman, who added his business will match all the food donated by shoppers.
Tompkins also will be a busy place during “Holly Daze.” It will be the store’s final weekend for the annual gift and toy catalogue, and two regular flyers also overlap this week.
There also will be many in-store sales, some of which can be viewed in this week’s ad in the Fort Frances Times.
Businesses all over Emo are getting into the Christmas spirit. Emo Drugs will be holding a store-wide sale, as well as draws for a $100 gift certificate on both Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, Cloverleaf also will be having a couple of in-store draws for gift baskets and free gas, as well as their usual sales.
Many of the businesses in Emo will be open a little longer than usual, especially on Saturday.
Whether it’s to do some local shopping, or to watch the parade and fireworks, “Holly Daze” in Emo definitely is the place to be this weekend. If the weather co-operates and stays cold enough, the skating rink at the tennis courts may be ready for use this weekend.
With the global economy in turmoil, Emo’s “Holly Daze” is the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping.
This weekend’s celebration will keep your dollars in the local economy, give you a chance to visit with friends and relatives on the streets of Emo, and help you kick off the Christmas season with all kinds of special activities.
